Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Wednesday the "world must help" Brazil protect the Amazon, ahead of a summit next week on the world's biggest rainforest.
"We know we have a responsibility to convince the world that investing is cheap if it's a matter of saving the rainforest," the Brazilian President told a meeting with international media.
"The world needs to help us preserve and develop the Amazon," he said.
ahead of a summit next week on the world's biggest rainforest, a key buffer against climate change.
Lula's remarks came ahead of a summit next week on the world's biggest rainforest.
Lula and leaders of other countries with territory in the sprawling Amazon are set to meet next week in the Brazilian city of Belem on developing policies to protect the rainforest, which is being badly damaged by deforestation. It will be the first meeting of the eight-member Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization since 2009.
Brazil has unveiled in June a comprehensive plan aimed at eradicating illegal deforestation in the Amazon region by 2030.
Fires and deforestation in Brazil have increased dramatically in recent years, amidst international calls for preserving the Amazon rainforests, which are considered as 'lungs of the planet' as they contribute significantly to the total production of oxygen in the earth's atmosphere.
